Effect of calcination on physicochemical and biological properties of ion-modified nanohydroxyapatite for bone tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Abstract The study examines the effect of calcination at a temperature of 1200°C on the physicochemical and biological properties of nanohydroxyapatite (nanoHAP) substituted with magnesium (Mg2+), strontium (Sr2+), and zinc (Zn2+). The materials were characterized by Fourier-transform spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal analysis methods. Moreover, in vitro biological characterization, including cytocompatibility, cell proliferation, osteogenic potential, and reactive oxygen species production, was performed. The XRD results indicate that the ion substitution of nanoHAP has no effect on the apatite structure, and after calcination, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is formed as an additional phase. SEM analysis showed that calcination induces the agglomeration of particles and changes in surface morphology. A decrease in the specific surface area and in the ion release rate was observed. Calcination and nanoHAP ion modification are beneficial for cell proliferation and osteoblast response and provide additional stimuli for cell commitment necessary for bone regeneration.